Back by popular demand the acclaimed Chocolate Buffet at Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta has returned for six decadent weeks. Chocoholics will delight in this celebration of all things chocolate. Executive Chef Robert Gerstenecker of Park 75 Restaurant is inviting a local celebrity to join him in the kitchen on a Friday night.
Each celebrity will share their favorite chocolate recipe for others to experience as part of the larger chocolate buffet, which includes 15 other chocolate desserts. To find out more about this sweet event, Buzz Entertainment Magazine sat down with the Chef himself.
Buzz Entertainment Magazine: How did the concept of the Chocolate Buffet begin?
Chef Robert Gerstenecker: The chocolate buffet originally launched out of Park 75’s culinary teams interest to do something fun for the after-dinner/after-theatre crowd that was never quite ready to go home for the evening. It originally launched in 2000 and has become a highly-anticipated winter event, ever since.
Buzz Entertainment Magazine: How many years have you been hosting it?
CRG: This year is our ninth year – we added the celebrity host/recipe component in 2009 just to give the concept a fun and unique twist.
Buzz Entertainment Magazine: Why do you think the Chocolate Buffet draws such a crowd each year?
CRG: It’s something fun to do, it’s after hours and it’s on a Friday evening when most people are not in a rush to go home.
Buzz Entertainment Magazine: What is your favorite part of hosting this event?
CRG: Hearing people’s reaction to the variety of chocolates we offer. We hear everything from ‘this reminds me of my mother’s recipe’ to ‘I feel like I’m in the middle of Switzerland.’ Chocolate creates good conversation.
Buzz Entertainment Magazine: How many different chocolate desserts will be at the buffet this year?
CRG: Each week there are 15 different items on the buffet –there are some favorites that we bring back week after week, for example, the chocolate fountain, but for the most part each week we bring fresh options to the buffet.
Buzz Entertainment Magazine: Can you share any unique desserts that you are preparing?
CRG: For the first time this year I will be making chocolate from scratch. I have purchased a
supply of raw Cacao beans, which I will roast, blend and process with sugar to obtain the desired chocolate profile. I don't think very many people will have ever tried “Fresh" chocolate. Some other fun, new things we are going to do is to re-create classics like a Kit Kat Candy bar and Peppermint Patties. I will also be hand dipping freshly made bourbon pecan truffles during the night at the buffet.
Buzz Entertainment Magazine: How did the idea of having local celebrities contributing their chocolate recipes come about?
CRG: We were just looking to freshen up the idea since we had been doing it for several years. We always had local celebrities attend the buffet because they were chocolate fans and now this gives everyone more interaction.
Buzz Entertainment Magazine: Which celebrities are contributing this year?
CRG: Frank Ski, Mychael Knight, John McFall, Xernona Clayton, David York and Emily Giffin
Buzz Entertainment Magazine: For someone who has never been to the event – how would you describe it?
CRG: The evening is a lot of fun and it’s also very relaxed – no reservation is needed. Guests just grab a seat and go up to the buffet at their leisure. It has a wonderful atmosphere and vibe.
Buzz Entertainment Magazine: What is your favorite chocolate recipe?
CRG: My favorite chocolate recipe is a Hazelnut Crunch Cake – it has the same flavors as a Kit Kat Bar but is even better!